This WEB site
features online versions of all the Harper's Weekly newspapers published
during the Civil War. These newspapers serve as a resource to allow the
serious student to gain new perspective and insights on the War.

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(Previous
Page) upon her travels, she must have observed that every hotel table
is covered in the morning with hot bread. The reason is that people like it and
eat it. They ought not to like it, but landlords provide what the public
approves. Actors do exactly the same thing. The reform must begin in the
customers. Let Mrs. Homespun and her family hiss lustily when there is swearing
or indecency upon the stage, and she will soon purify it.

ONE-IDEA MEN.

THERE is a loud outcry in certain
quarters against people of one idea. We are informed that we are in prodigious
danger from such people. There are plenty of us who have no ideas whatever, but
we are not formidable. There are plenty more who have false and sophistical
ideas, but they are honorable and innocent.

The danger, it seems, is not in
having inhuman, impolitic, unjust, and extravagant ideas, if you only have
enough of them. There must be enough to pass out of the singular number. But if
a man has one idea, no matter how wise, how true, how elevated, and beneficent,
he is a nuisance, a pest, and, in short, a man of one idea.

Let us look at this matter a
little. Our own history, like that of every nation in the world, is full of
one-idea men from the beginning. Washington was eminently their leader. He had
one fixed, dominant idea. That idea governed his life and his thoughts. For that
idea he relinquished the charms of home and risked his life and fortune. That
idea he defended in debate and in the field. For the sake of that idea he was
willing to see his native land desolated by war, he was willing to hazard the
lives and fortunes of his neighbors. For that idea he saw trade languish and
commerce expire. For that idea he endured every kind of contumely, slander, and
enmity; and after working strenuously for seven years, with one idea in his soul
and heart and brain, he saw it triumph in the independence of America. Had he
swerved from that one idea of independence—had he yielded to the taunts and
threats and sneers and arms of his opponents, he might indeed have won from
shallow lips the praise of not being a man of one idea; but he would have lost
from the heart of mankind, and the eternal gratitude of his country, the fame of
Washington.

In this very moment of our
history there are three classes of men, each of one idea. The first class
believes in the maintenance of the Government by every means known to war. The
second class hope solely at its destruction. The cause of the country, that is
the one idea of every man who loves country more than party. The cause of the
rebellion, that is the one idea of every man who hates the Union.

But there is a third class of
one-idea men. It is composed of those who love party more than country, more
than national union or disunion. It is the least respectable of all, and it is
the one which incessantly denounces the first class as fanatics of one idea, and
the second as gentlemen who have been goaded into hasty action. When a ship is
in dire peril of going down there can be but three parties, and they have each
one idea. The one would save her at all risks. The second would let her sink.
The third is careless whether she sinks or swims.

In the peril of the ship of State
every man must choose which one idea he will favor. And when he has decided, let
him not be bullied by other one-idea men that he is a man of one idea.

FINE
NAMES.

THE country has been recently
favored with another "Conservative" demonstration. There was a Senator to be
elected in Pennsylvania. The "Conservatives" had one majority upon joint ballot.
There were doubts as to the result; so Mr. M'Mullen, an eminent "Conservative,"
who is to Philadelphia what our own Rynders is to us, headed a thousand other
Conservatives of the same kind, and went to Harrisburg. That the peace of that
capital was endangered, that the Legislature sat in practical duress, and that a
Pennsylvania Senator was elected under the menace of a mob, no sensible man will
deny. In like manner the rowdies of Tammany Hall and the Five Points prevented
the organization of the New York Assembly last week.

It was a truly "Conservative"
proceeding. It was strictly in accordance with "Conservative" principles. Two
years ago last autumn Mr. Yancey, who was then a most distinguished
"Conservative," although his views are entirely unchanged, came to New York and
made a speech, and told us that if we persisted in voting as we chose, and
constitutionally electing a President, he and his friends would dissolve the
Union. That was "National" and "Conservative" speech-making at that time. The
thing is always the same, whatever you call it. It is a principle at war with.
law, with order, with human rights, and with constitutional guarantees. It was
so then; it is so now. And when well-meaning but deluded men observe that all
disturbance of public order and outrage of law, all pandering to the basest
prejudice and denial of generous principle, is made by the most unscrupulous
politicians and the most disreputable men, who call themselves "Conservative,"
he will gradually wonder whether that word correctly describes that kind of
thing and person. For some time in Paris at a certain cafe the most popular dish
was hare curiously stewed. The demand was immense. Every body was eating and
praising the wonderful hare. It was so exquisite, so delicate, so nutritious.
Suddenly one of the patrons conceived a horrible suspicion. He inquired —he
discovered—and cried out to the appalled company, "It's cat!" Hare ceased to be
in demand from that day.

LITTLE PEOPLE.

WHEN paragraphs appeared in the
newspapers stating that a wonderful little lady was holding court at the St.
Nicholas Hotel, and that she was all that the most fastidious fancy could desire
in a

small woman, the thoughts of the
sagacious instantly turned to the American Museum. But when a "correspondence"
was published between Mr. Barnum and the prodigy, in which the latter declined
his offer of ten thousand dollars a day, more or less, upon the plea that she
was only waiting the completion of her wardrobe and of the setting of her
precious stones before sailing for Europe to visit the "crowned heads," etc.,
every body knew that Mr. Barnum had secured another dwarf, and was advertising
his success. Her name is Lavinia Warren. She is 21 years old, 32 inches high,
and weighs 29 pounds. Unquestionably she is one of the most interesting of the
many wonders of the kind which the Museum has offered to the public. General Tom
Thumb and Commodore Nutt are henceforth not without hope. The poets of the press
describe her faultless form, her winning voice, her sparkling dark eyes, her
rich, dark, waving hair, her exquisitely modeled neck and shoulders, her bust a
sculptor's study (!), and her singular intelligence. If Bottom should stray into
the American Museum he would be sure that he beheld Titania. In the words of one
of the enthusiasts—"What more could we desire?"

HUMORS OF THE DAY.

"How is it you never wear a
great-coat?" said Jones to a friend. "Because I never was," replied the wag.

Wetherbee, who "drives the
Harleck stage," is a great wag. "There's a young woman lying in that 'ere house
yender," said he to us, as we were riding on the outside with him last summer;
"there's a young woman been a lyin' there near about a month, and they haven't
buried her yet!" "Why not?" we innocently inquired. "Cause she ain't dead!"
quietly remarked Mr. Wetherbee, and then he tickled the ear of the nigh leader
slightly with his whip.

A gentleman who is in the habit
of never "going home till morning," while dining at a friend's house, ventured
to suggest that he thought there was more noise made about garroting than was
necessary, and addressing his conversation to the hostess, said, "No attempt has
ever been made to garrote me, and I go out a great deal." "That is," replied the
lady, "because you go out too late for the garroters."

It is singular how rapidly some
young gentlemen from the country lose their color when visiting large cities.
They go there very green, and invariably come away done very brown.

An old bachelor, who has dined
out on Christmas-Day for several years, says: "If, when you visit a friend, his
wife tells you, in a husky voice, to 'make yourself at home,' obey her literally
as soon as possible."

"Mamma," said Harry, "how fat
Amelia has grown!" "Yes," replied his mamma; "but don't say 'fat,' dear; say
'stout.'" At the dinner-table on the following day Harry was asked if he would
take any fat. "No, thank you," said Harry; "I'll take some stout."

A wealthy French financier being
suspected of filling his own coffers at the expense of the royal treasury, was
deprived of his office and dismissed from the court. He manifested no confusion
at his disgrace, and was merely heard to say, "They have acted very foolishly to
dismiss me. I had provided sufficiently for myself, and was just going to exert
myself for the state."

The swell of the ocean is said to
be a dandy midshipman.

An elderly dandy, who was more
noted for running into debt than for paying his tradesmen, made an exception in
favor of his wig-maker, that he might be enabled to say that he wore his "own
hair."

What is the schoolmaster's
tree?—Birch

"Say, Jack, can you tell us
what's the best thing to hold two pieces of rope together?" "I guess knot,
Jack."

For a lady to sweep her carpet
with embroidered under-sleeves would be considered indecently dirty; but to drag
the pavement with her skirts seems to be very genteel.

What kind of a fever have those
who wish to get their names in print?—Type-us fever.

At a recent conference meeting
the members were asked, "How many brethren can you accommodate at your house?"
One lady rose and said, "I can sleep two, but I can eat as many as you will
send."

Few ladies are so modest as to be
unwilling to sit in the lap of ease and luxury.

A French paper represents the
Chancellor of the Exchequer as having delivered his well-known speech in Newgate
instead of Newcastle.

"How often do you knead bread?"
asked one house-keeper of another. "How often? Why, I might say we need it
continually," the other replied.

A machine has been invented which
is to be driven by the force of circumstances.

Why is a bird a greedy
creature?—Because it never eats less than a peck.

What musical instrument has had
an honorary degree conferred upon it?—Fiddle D. D.

Resolve on that course of life
which is most excellent, and habit will render it the most delightful.

Why is the sun like a good
loaf?—Because it's light when it rises.

A man so intoxicated that he
can't hold up his head is a tip-top fellow.

What is that which never asks any
questions, but requires many answers?—The street door.

A promising young man may do very
well, perhaps—a paying one much better.

What light could not possibly be
seen in a dark room?—An Israelite.

A man with a scolding wife, when
inquired of respecting his occupation, said he kept a hot-house.

DO YOU GIVE IT UP?

With what two animals do you
always go to bed?

Two calves.

Why is the cook at the Palace
like a man sitting on the top of St. Paul's?

Because both are in a high cool
and airy (culinary) sitnation.

My first is a ruffian that riots
in blood;

My second has a rough coat, and
is son of the wood;

My whole is a phantom that scares
you by night,

When the tapers burn blue and the
moon gives pale light.

Bug-bear.

What English word has all the
vowels following each other?

Facetiously (a e i o u y).

What famous battle was fought in
a most vulgar place?

Agincourt (a gin court).

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

CONGRESS.

ON Wednesday, January 14, in the
Senate, ex-Governor Hicks, the new Senator from Maryland, was qualified and took
his seat. The Judiciary Committee reported back the House bill granting aid for
the emancipation of slaves in Missouri, with an amendment. The Military
Committee reported back the bill to consolidate the regiments now in the field.
The Committee on the Conduct of the War were directed to inquire relative to the
transportation of disloyal women to and from within the rebel lines. The
consideration of the joint resolution annulling treaties and forfeiting the
lands and annuities of the
Sioux Indians, was postponed till the 21st inst.—In
the House, a joint resolution providing for the immediate payment of the army
and navy, was adopted. A resolution directing the arrest of Simon Stevens, for
contempt in refusing to answer questions before the Select Committee on
Government Contracts, was adopted. A bill to provide for a military and postal
road between New York and Washington was referred to the Select Committee on the
subject. The remainder of the session was occupied in debate on the war and
national politics.

On Thursday, 15th, in the Senate,
the credentials of Mr. Charles R. Buckalew, the new Senator from Pennsylvania,
were presented. A resolution calling for information respecting the accident to
the steamer Ossipee was adopted. The papers relating to the French Spoliation
claims were referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Finance Committee
reported back the joint resolution to provide for the payment of the army and
navy, and it was adopted by a vote of 38 against 2. Senator Collamer introduced
a bill relative to suits for damages growing out of arbitrary arrests. The bill
making appropriations for the support of the Military Academy at West Point was
next considered, and, after some debate, passed, by a vote of 29 against 10.—In
the House, the credentials of Mr. Jennings Piggot, of North Carolina, and the
protest of Charles Henry Foster against his admission to a seat, were presented
and referred to the Committee on Elections. The remainder of the session was
devoted to debate, in Committee of the Whole, on the bill to provide ways and
means for the support of the Government.

On Friday, 16th, in the Senate, a
communication was received from the Secretary of the Interior asking for an
appropriation of half a million for the Capitol extension, and two hundred
thousand dollars for the new dome. The Military Committee reported back the bill
to suspend the sale of land on the South Carolina and Georgia coast, with an
amendment as a substitute. A resolution directing the Naval Committee to inquire
into the efficiency of the construction of iron-clad vessels of war was
introduced. It was stated that the whole matter had been referred to a board of
competent engineers, whereupon the resolution was rejected. The bill providing
pecuniary aid for emancipating the staves in Missouri was then taken up, and
Senator Henderson, of Missouri, made a speech in support of the measure. At the
conclusion of his remarks the bill was laid aside. The bill providing for
consolidating the regiments in the field was discussed and postponed. A
resolution was adopted instructing the Committee on Territories to report
whether the publication of the Message of the Governor of Utah had been
suppressed; if so, what were the causes and what was the message. The bill to
increase the clerical force of the Quarter-master's Department was called up,
and Senator Lane reiterated his suspicions of the loyalty of General Meigs.—In
the House, several private bills were considered. The bill reported last June
from the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, with amendments,
authorizing the enlargement of the Mississippi and Michigan canal for the
passage of gun-boats, munitions of war, etc., and also the enlargement of the
Erie and Oswego canals for similar purposes, connecting Lakes Erie and Ontario
with the Hudson River, was taken up, and a motion to lay on the table disagreed
to by a vote of 42 against 93. The debate on the bill providing ways and means
for the support of the Government was then resumed, and continued until the
adjournment. Both Houses adjourned until Monday.

On Monday, 19th, in the Senate, a
communication was received from the Post-Office Department, stating that the
detention of the mails between New York and Washington was caused mainly by the
increased travel on account of the war, but that it would be remedied. Senator
McDougall introduced a series of resolutions declaring the attempt of the French
to subjugate Mexico hostile not only to the United States but to free
institutions every where ; that it is the duty of the Government to require the
withdrawal of the French forces; and that it is also the duty of the Government
to lend such aid to Mexico as may be required to prevent the forcible
interposition of European Powers in the political affairs of that republic. The
resolutions were laid over till Thursday next. The debate on the bill in
relation to the discharge of state prisoners was then resumed by Senators Powell
and Wright. A special Message was received from the President, stating that he
had approved the joint resolution authorizing the issue of an additional
$100,000,000 of United States notes for the payment of soldiers and sailors, and
urging upon Congress the necessity of restricting the circulation of paper
currency, and the expediency of taxing the paper issues of banking institutions.
—In the House, a bill appropriating $10,000,000 in aid of the emancipation of
slaves in Maryland was introduced and referred to the select committee on the
subject. A bill authorizing duties on importations to be paid, if desired by
importers, in legal tender notes, with 33 per cent. added, was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means. The Secretary of War was requested to inform the
House what sums had been paid since the breaking out of the rebellion to the
various railroad companies for the transportation of troops and munitions of war
between Washington and New York. The credentials of John B. Rogers, claiming a
seat as a representative from Tennessee, was referred to the Committee on
Elections. The debate on the Finance bill was then resumed in Committee of the
Whole and continued till the adjournment.

On Tuesday, 20th, in the Senate,
the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs reported a bill to pay the
French spoliation claims. The bill provides that these claims are to be adjusted
to an amount not exceeding five millions of dollars, and to be paid pro rata in
United States five per cent. stock. The Naval Committee reported back the bill
to authorize letters of marque and reprisal, with amendments, and notice was
given that it would be called up at an early day.—In the House, the President's
special Message recommending a tax on the paper issues of State banks, etc., was
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed. A
resolution was adopted that the Secretary of the Navy communicate any
information in his possession to show that American vessels, cleared for any
foreign ports, have engaged in the coolie slave-trade, or submit such
suggestions to prevent it as he may deem proper. The Judiciary Committee
submitted resolutions explanatory of the Tax law, that the salaries of the
President, Vice-President, and Judges of the Supreme Court and inferior courts
of the United States be exempted from tax.. The resolution declaring Mr.
Vandever, of Iowa, not entitled to a seat in the House since he joined the army
as Colonel of the Ninth Iowa regiment, in 1861, was discussed, and finally
adopted by a majority vote. The question was raised that the resolution was one
of expulsion, and consequently required a two-thirds vote. The Speaker overruled
the point, and an appeal from the decision was made. Pending the question the
House went into Committee of the Whole on the Finance bill. Mr. Spaulding, on
behalf of the Committee of Ways and Means, proposed amendments to the first
section, which were agreed to, viz.: To authorize the Secretary of the Treasury
to borrow, from time to time, on the credit of the United States, a sum not
exceeding $300,000,000 for the current fiscal year, and $600,000,000 for the
next fiscal year, and to issue therefor coupon or registered bonds, payable at
the pleasure of the Government after twenty years from date, and of such
denominations (though not less than fifty dollars) as the

Secretary may deem expedient,
bearing interest at a rate not exceeding six per cent. per annum, payable
semi-annually in coin. Mr. Thomas offered an amendment, which was agreed to,
making the coupon or registered bonds payable at the pleasure of the Government
after twenty years from date in coin. Mr. Spaulding moved to strike out the
restriction of the sale of bonds at not less than par, so that the Secretary may
in his discretion dispose of them at any time upon the best terms he can obtain.
Pending the consideration of this amendment the Committee rose and the House
adjourned.

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

The news received in Washington
from the Army of the Potomac on 20th is said to have caused a great deal of
excitement there. The character of the news has not been promulgated.

THE CAPTURE OF THE POST OF
ARKANSAS.

The following has been received
at the head-quarters of
General Grant:

GENERAL,—I have the honor to
report that the forces under my command attacked the Post of Arkansas to-day at
one o'clock, having stormed the enemy's works. We took a large number of
prisoners, variously estimated at from seven to ten thousand, together with all
his stores, animals, and munitions of war.

JEFF DAVIS'S MESSAGE.

Jeff Davis has issued his annual
Message to the rebel Congress. He speaks of the early determination of England,
France, and other European Powers to confine themselves to recognizing the
self-evident fact of the existence of a strict neutrality during the progress of
the war, but draws from this the conclusion that their course of action was but
an actual decision against the South, and in favor of the Union, at the same
time tending to prolong hostilities. He denounces the conduct of the Union
armies as atrocious and cruel.

HIS VIEWS OF THE PROCLAMATION.

In relation to
President
Lincoln's emancipation proclamation, he says he may well leave it to the
instincts of that common humanity which a beneficent Creator has implanted in
the breasts of our fellow-men of all countries to pass judgment on a measure of
which several millions of human beings of an inferior race, peaceful and
contented laborers in their sphere, are doomed to extermination; while, at the
same time, they are encouraged to a general assassination of their masters by
the insidious recommendation to abstain from violence, unless in necessary
self-defense. Our own detestation of those who have attempted the most execrable
massacre recorded in the history of guilty man is tinctured by a profound
sentiment for the impotent rage which it discloses. As far as regards the action
of this Government on such criminals as may attempt its execution, I confine
myself to informing you that I shall, unless in your wisdom you deem some other
course more expedient, deliver to the several State authorities all commissioned
officers of the United States that may hereafter be captured by our forces in
any of the States embraced in the proclamation, that they may be dealt with in
accordance with the laws of those States, providing for the punishment of
criminals engaged in exciting servile insurrections. In its political aspect
this measure possesses great signification, and to it in this light I invite
your attention. It affords to our people the complete and crowning proof of the
true nature of the designs of the party which elevated to power the present
occupant of the Presidential chair at Washington, and which sought to conceal
its purposes by every variety of artful grace, and by the perfidious use of the
most solemn and repeated pledges on every practicable occasion. He gives
extracts from
President Lincoln's inaugural, and comments fully upon the
subsequent acts by Congress and the Administration.

NO SURRENDER.

After briefly referring to the
campaigns since his last annual message, he says:

The anticipations which entered
into the contest have now ripened into a conviction, which is not only shared
with us by the common opinion of neutral nations, but is evidently forcing
itself upon our enemies themselves. The advent of peace will be hailed with joy.
Our desire for it has never been concealed. But, earnest as has been our wish
for peace, and great as have been our sacrifices and sufferings during the war,
the determination of this people has, with each succeeding month, become more
unalterably fixed to endure any suffering, and continue any sacrifice, however
prolonged, until their right to self-government, and the sovereignty and
independence of these States, shall have been triumphantly vindicated and
established.

THE "ALABAMA" AGAIN.

The Alabama is again at her work
of destruction upon our merchant ships. The schooner Union, which arrived at
Jamaica on the 8th inst., was captured by the rebel pirate, but subsequently
released, as her cargo belonged to British subjects. She brought with her,
however, the crew of a Boston bark—the Parker Cook—which had only the protection
of the Stars and Stripes, and not the ensign of England, to protect her, and
hence was seized and burned by the Alabama.

The Vanderbilt has arrived at
Fortress Monroe after an unsuccessful cruise after the Alabama.

THE SKIRMISH ON THE BLACKWATER.

Major-General Dix contradicts the
statements of the Richmond papers that our troops were defeated by the rebel
General Roger A. Pryor on the 9th inst., at Providence Church, near
Suffolk. It
appears from the official report of General Peck that the euemy crossed the
Blackwater in considerable force, and attempted to drive in our right wing.
Infantry, cavalry, and artillery were employed by the rebels; but they were
repulsed by Major Wheelan's New York mounted rifles. At dusk the enemy's advance
was charged upon and driven back upon his support. So that it was a victory for
our arms, instead of a defeat, as boastingly claimed by Pryor.

NO MORE OFFICERS TO BE EXCHANGED.

Orders have been issued by Jeff
Davis that officers of the United States Array captured after the 12th inst. are
to be handed over to the Governors of the rebel States within whose jurisdiction
they are taken, to be dealt with in accordance with Jeff Davis's recent
declaration that they are to be regarded as persons inciting servile
insurrection under
President Lincoln's emancipation proclamation.
General
Halleck has issued an order, which may be regarded as retaliatory, commanding
that no rebel officers shall be released until further orders.

FOREIGN NEWS.

FRANCE.

THE EMPEROR ON AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

IN France the Emperor Napoleon
did not allude to American affairs in his reply to the diplomatic corps during
his New Year's reception. When the Emperor passed where the United States
Minister (Mr. Dayton) stood, he inquired, "What news, Mr. Dayton?" and on Mr.
Dayton referring to the bad news which had just been received, his Majesty
replied that he regretted it, and hoped "it would be better within the year."

THE FRENCH TO USE NEGRO SOLDIERS.

The French transport Seine has
received instructions to go to Alexandria for a battalion of one thousand men,
composed of negroes of Darfour, which Said Pacha, of Egypt, has offered the
Emperor for his expedition to Mexico. They are old, well-trained troops,
sufficiently brave, and not liable to be affected by hot weather or fever, which
qualities will give them an immense advantage over the Mexican guerrillas.

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